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What are the new coronavirus rules for children returning to schools?

As schools across all states return to face-to-face learning in some form from next week, experts insist the risk of coronavirus transmission remains “very low”.

“It is clear this is a virus that more readily transmits between adults than it does from child to child, or from child to adult,” said Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Coatsworth.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian added: “The health advice is very clear – a return to full-time face-to-face teaching is safe.”

Here’s everything you need to know about the processes in place to protect children and teachers from coronavirus as they return to school.

A little boy and little girl wearing school uniforms are seen entering a primary school in Brisbane, Queensland.
Children will soon be going back to schools. Source: AAP

When do schools go back?

When coronavirus was declared a worldwide pandemic, Australian schools closed to all but children of essential workers.

Now, eight weeks later they’re starting to reopen. Here’s what to expect across the country.

NSW: Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced this week that all classes will resume face-to-face teaching on May 25.

Queensland: Kindergarten, prep, years 1, 11 and 12 returned on May 11. Regular teaching

will resume from May 25 for all years.

Victoria: Daniel Andrews was the last of the state premiers to announce reopening of schools.

On May 26, students in prep, years 1, 2, 11, and 12 will return to school. All other years will re-start on June 9.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian speaks to media in Sydney.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced schools in the state will return full-time from Monday. Source: Getty

SA: Schools returned at the beginning of May.

NT: All students started back on April 20.

ACT: Pre-school, kindergarten, years 1, 2, 7 and years 11 and 12 went back on May 18. Years

3, 4 and 10 will return on May 25, and years 5, 6, 8 and 9 will go back on June 2.

WA: Compulsory school attendance was expected by May 18.

Tasmania: Schools will reopen on May 25 for kindergarten to year 6. Years 7 to 10 will

return on June 9.

Across all states, once schools are reopened, students are expected to be at school unless:

  • They have a medical certificate stating they are unable to return

  • They are unwell

  • They have a compromised immune system

  • Have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or live with someone who has been diagnosed

  • They have been overseas in the last 14 days

What will be the new rules in the classroom?

There is no need for physical distancing between students in the classroom to keep them safe from coronavirus, according to advice from the Australian Health Principal Protection Committee (AHPPC).

Adults must maintain physical distancing and keep 1.5 metres apart from each other.

In the classroom and throughout the school day, students SHOULD:

  • Regularly wash their hands

  • Avoid sharing food and drinks

  • Cough or sneeze into their elbow or a tissue, which should be thrown away immediately

School students in class working with tablets
Students will have to follow a strict set of rules. Source: Getty

Students SHOULD NOT:

  • Drink from water bubblers or fountains

  • Touch their eyes, nose or mouths when possible

  • Use mobile phones in school when possible

What will be the new rules in the playground?

Students do not need to socially distance in the playground, and non-contact sports are allowed.

In order to reduce the risk of transmission of coronavirus, schools may want to:

  • Stagger recess and lunchtime

  • Prevent students playing on playground equipment

  • Make use of outdoor spaces for lessons

An information signboard is seen on outdoor playground at Sydney Olympic Park.
Students will not have to socially distance in the playground. Source: Getty

What will be the new rules at drop-off and pick-up?

Despite initial speculation, children will not need to have their temperature taken before entering school, after the Department of Health declared there to be “limited evidence to demonstrate the value of such checks”.

NSW: No parents will be allowed on-site at schools. Individual schools will give advice on drop-off and pick-up procedures, but many are planning staggered drop-off and pick-up times, as well as making sure parents queue 1.5 metres from each other while waiting at the school gates.

Queensland: Adults are not allowed to gather in or around school grounds or outside classrooms. Drop-off methods such as ‘Kiss and Go’ should be used when possible.

Victoria: Schools must have staggered drop-off and pick-up times if there is a risk of a large group of people congregating at the school gates.

Parents should only enter school grounds when essential, and practise social distancing at all times.

Pedestrian crossing attendant Peter performs his duty outside a primary school.
There are different rules for each state when it comes to school pick-up and drop-off. Source: AAP

South Australia: Physical distancing should be practiced by adults at all times. Although many schools are encouraging drop-off and pick-up outside the school gates, this isn’t a mandatory procedure.

WA: Parents or carers are required to drop and pick up all children at the gates and maintain physical distancing at all times.

NT: When possible, adults should remain outside school grounds. Primary schools will make arrangements to minimise parents in the school grounds.

Tasmania: Parents are being strongly encouraged to stay out of the school grounds, and must observe physical distancing near the school premises.

ACT: Individual schools will come up with plans to manage limiting the number of adults at the school gates, and making sure children get in to school safely.

What will be the new rules about activities and excursions at school?

The rules to keep students and staff safe from COVID-19 are the same across all states.

There will be no:

  • School assemblies

  • School incursions and excursions including camps

  • Sports carnivals

  • Interschool activities such as debating or interschool sport

  • In-school activities requiring parents or other volunteers

  • School concerts or musicals

  • Fetes or fairs

  • School formals or socials

  • Presentation nights or open days

Australian schoolboy boards the bus for his school commute.
School excursions will not be allowed as school resumes. Source: Getty

How will before and after school care change?

Out of hours school care is classed as an essential service, so they remain open in every state.

Some facilities might prioritise children of essential workers or children who have returned to school over those who have not yet returned to full-time face-to-face education.

Will children be able to get food from the school canteen?

Yes. Canteens and tuckshops are allowed to open at the discretion of the principal in all states.

Canteen staff must wear gloves, and ensure hands are washed between glove changes.

Physical distancing must still be applied between adults.

Children at modern school facility lining up to get lunch at a canteen.
Canteens and tuckshops will be open at the discretion of principals. Source: Getty

How else will schools keep children safe from coronavirus?

All schools across the country will have extra cleaning measures in place, in line with AHPPC guidelines.

This will include areas such as door handles, light switches, lockers, handrails and taps.

All schools have been given extra hand sanitiser, soap and disinfectant wipes.

What happens if there’s a case of coronavirus at a school?

If there’s a confirmed case of COVID-19 at a school, parents will be informed.

The school will be temporarily closed while all surfaces, furniture and equipment are disinfected with hospital-grade disinfectant as part of the deep clean, and to allow health authorities to conduct contact tracing.

An empty playground is seen at a primary school in Brisbane.
Schools will be temporarily closed if a coronavirus case is confirmed. Source: AAP

Once the safety of staff and students is ensured, the school can reopen.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said it would be “common ... for schools to be shut down temporarily”.

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